Nut-lock.



I A. s. POX.

NUT LOOK.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1911.

1,036,991 Patented Aug. 27, 1912.

l i; I. H L [Ll LUV 2767,5 0

Z%%% 4 M1 fi By ATTORNEY.

AARON S. FOX, 0]? SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

NUT-LOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 27, 1912.

Serial No. 628,835.

Application filed May 22, 1911.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, AARON S. Fox, a citizenof the United States, residing at Syracuse, in the county of Onondagaand State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvementsin Nut-Locks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in looking devices, designed foruse in connection with bolts and nuts generally, and the inventionrelates particularly to a device for locking the sleeves and bolts orscrews of turn-buckles.

The object ofthe invention is to provide a novel, simple, convenient andinexpensive device of the class, consisting of a flexible wire key orpin, which is arranged to lie in a groove formed in the threadedaperture of the sleeve or nut of a turnbuckle, one end of the key beingbent to provide means for interlocking said part with the sleeve or nut,for preventing turning or shifting of the key, the opposite end of thekey remaining free.

A further object is to so arrange the parts of the device so that afterthe bolt has been screwed into the sleeve or nut, the free end of thekey may be bent or folded upon itself and then inserted into the nearestof a number of spiral grooves which are formed lengthwise in thethreaded surface of the bolt, for preventing the bolt or the sleeve fromturning in the direction for loosening the said parts. i

The features and parts of the invention will be understood from thedetailed description which follows, and by reference to the accompanyingdrawing, whichforms a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1is a plan view of a turn-buckle,

having my improvement applied, the latter being in looking position.Fig. 2 is a side elevation and part section of the device shown in Fig.1; showing the construction,

arrangement and operation of the parts.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view; showing the application of my locking deviceto a common bolt and nut. Fig. 4 is an end view of a hexagon nut;showing the groove and socket to receive the key. Fig. 5 is across-section, taken on line 55 of Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is an elevational viewof a screw-bolt.

Similar charactersof reference designate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views.

In the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a turn-buckle of ordinaryconstruction, comprising a sleeve 2 and bolts or screws 3 and 4. Theopposite ends of the sleeve are threaded internally to receive the bolts3 and 4:, which are preferably provided respectively with right and lefthand threads. One end of the sleeve 2 may be fitted with the usualswivel (not shown), and my improved locking device may be applied to theopposite. end, instead of at both ends as herein shown. 5 represents astraight groove or slot which is cut or otherwise formed in the threadedaperture 6 of the sleeve, eX- tending longitudinally across the threads,the said slot being formed deeper than the said threads, to provide aclear passage or way for a locker or key 7. The key consists of a pieceor length. of flexible wire, having one end bent at right angles to thebody of the key, to form a hook or foot 8, which engages the innersurface or shoulder 9 of the sleeve, for preventing the shifting or withdrawal of the wire, except in one direction. The wire key 7 may beinserted in the slot 5 either before or after the bolt is screwed intothe sleeve. The key or pin7 is preferably about double the length ofthethreaded hole in the sleeve, and when first applied to the slot 5should be substantially straight, as indicated by the dotted lines inFig. 3. The depth of the slot 5 below the threads is intended to beabout equal to the diameter of the pin 7 so that when the pin is lyingin the slot, the bolt may be screwed into the nut without interference.10 represents a pair of oppositely facing slots or grooves which areformed lengthwise in the threaded body of the bolt, and these groovesare intended projects above or beyond the outer end of.

the nut or sleeve is bent, by any suitable means, upon itself forforming a large loop or curve, which brings the end of the wire downinto line with the nearest of the grooves 10. The end of the wire 7 maythen be inserted in the groove of the bolt, then by striking the top ofthe loop a few blows, with any suitable tool, the free end of the Ilocked together.

wire is forced farther and farther into the groove 10 until the nut andbolt are securely 7 should be flexible and pliable enough to standbending, as described, without fracture. If desired, when removing thenut or bolt, the wire key may be withdrawn from the groove 10 of thebolt, by any'suitable method, then straightened and used repeatedly forlocking the parts together. Under the provision of the spiral grooves10, the obliquity or angularity of thesaid grooves,-

i which almost or entirely encircle the threaded portion of the bolt,tends to'increase the chances of the slots 5 and 10 coinciding with eachother, when the nut and bolt are screwed 1 bolts, comprising a pair ofspiral grooves formed along the threaded portion of: the

into place. By this arrangement fewer slots 3? or grooves in the boltsare required, than when they are formed straight as heretofore. As thenut travels over the successive threads of the bolt, the slot 5registers with the grooves 10 at a different point in the cir- 1cumference of the bolt, which would not be the case if the grooves 10were straight.

When the free end of the wire 7 is driven into the spiral grooves 10,the key becomes fixed or set at an angle relatively to the slot 5 of thenut, which tends to increase the resistance of the locking pin whensubjected tp any strainby reason of the ar or vibra tion 'of the parts,which in the absence of the locking device would sooner or later Whenthe wire key is driven into the groove 10, as illustratedintli'efdrawings, the exposed portion of the loop iliesi closely againstthe threads of the bolt and does not interfere gwith' the handling ofthe parts, and there 1s no danger of the key being accidentallywithdrawn by coming in contact with other ob'ects. I V v I olts or nutslocked together by means of 1 my improved device cannot jerk loose. The

bolt and nut may, however, be separated withoutwithdrawing the key 7, bythe use of a stout wrench, but in that case the wire key will be shearedoff or distorted, so as not to be fit for use again.

It is an object ofthe present invention to provide a comparatively lightand inexpensive wire key, which may be produced without any specialtoolsor work, and if the keys are used butfonce, the cost of replacingthem will be a small item. In the present device,

it is immaterial whether the slot 5 and either of the slots 10v coincideor not.

The wire should be of sufiicient length and strength 'I to permit itsfree end to be bent over "and Gbp tu of this patent may be obtained forare cents each, by addressing the Commissioner. of Patents,

driven into the nearest groove 10 without requiring the use of washersor other ex The wire of the pin or key plication of my improved lockingdevice bolt, the

to the ordinary screw bolt and nut, which .is practically the same asthat shown in Figs. 1 and 2, except that the under side or. face" of thenut 11', is recessed at 12, to form a socket to receive the hook or foot8 of the "key 7, so as not'to. hinder the full engage- 'ment of thebottom of the nut whensc'rewed down in place.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Let ters Patent, is-- 1. A locking device for'nuts and screwalongitudinal slot formed in'the threaded aperture of the nut, and aflexible wire pin having one end formed into .a hook for engaging thebottom of the nut, the other end arranged to be bent at an acute angleand inserted entirely in one of the spiral grooves,

beneath the threads of thebolt, substantially Q as described.

2. The combination with a bolt having the oppositely facing spiralgrooves 10, of

driven into one of the grooves of the bolt for preventing the unscrewingof the bolt.

3. The combination with the sleeve of a turn-buckle having alongitudinal slot formed through the threads thereof, and deeper thansaid threads, of a bolthaving a plurality of spiral grooves formed alongthe threaded portion thereof, the said grooves-arranged at a pitch thereverse of the threads of the bolt, and a flexible wire pin having ahook on one end adapted to engage the inner end of the threaded portionofthe sleeve, for preventing the turning or shifting of said pin, theopposite end of the pin being free to be bent at an acute angle 'tocorrespond to and to be. driven into one'of said spiral grooves,substantially as described. v

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' AARON S. FOX.

Witnesses:

HARRY DE WALLACE, WM. C. ANDERSON.

' Washington, D. C.

pitch of said grooves being 'coni tra ry to the pitch of'the threads ofthe bolt

